Vesna Terzic is a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering Management at California State University Long Beach's College of Engineering. Her research specializes in seismic performance assessment, infrastructure resilience, and probabilistic risk analysis of structures. Education includes a PhD in Structural Engineering from UC Berkeley, MS in Earthquake Engineering from Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, and BS in Structural Engineering from University of Belgrade. Research focuses on developing advanced computational frameworks for evaluating post-earthquake functionality of buildings and bridges. Her work integrates performance-based engineering with resilience quantification, emphasizing practical applications for seismic design and retrofitting. Recent publications demonstrate consistent focus on functional recovery modeling, structural health monitoring, and optimization of protective systems. Research trends show progression from component-level analysis to regional recovery simulation frameworks. Major awards: ACI Chester Paul Siess Award for Excellence in Structural Research (2017) Popert Fellowship, UC Berkeley (2009) Professional service includes membership on FEMA P-58 project committees and contributions to OpenSees development. Current projects investigate soil-structure interaction effects on tall buildings and recovery-based design methodologies.
Paolo Gardoni is the Alfredo H. Ang Family Professor and an Excellence Faculty Scholar in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with additional professorial appointments in Industrial & Enterprise Systems Engineering and Biomedical & Translational Sciences. He also serves as Director of the MAE Center and Editor-in-Chief of Reliability Engineering & System Safety. Education Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, University of California, Berkeley (2002) M.A. in Statistics, University of California, Berkeley (2001) M.Eng. in Structural Engineering, University of Tokyo (1997) Laurea (BS+MS equivalent) in Structural Engineering, Politecnico di Milano (1997) Research Interests Gardoni’s scholarship integrates probabilistic methods with large-scale infrastructure systems to advance reliability, risk, and life-cycle analysis. His work quantifies the performance of deteriorating systems under natural and anthropogenic hazards, models societal impacts of disasters, and develops decision frameworks for sustainable and resilient infrastructure. He also examines ethical, social, and legal dimensions of risk, and investigates optimal strategies for hazard mitigation, disaster recovery, and climate adaptation. Across more than 250 refereed journal papers, he has advanced sub-fields ranging from probabilistic mechanics and earthquake engineering to catastrophe bond pricing and engineering ethics, leveraging tools such as stochastic differential equations, Bayesian networks, and physics-informed machine learning. Awards & Honors Alfredo Ang Award on Risk Analysis and Management of Civil Infrastructure (ASCE, 2021) Best Paper Awards in ASCE Journal of Sustainable Water in the Built Environment (2019) and Geotechnical Research (2018 Telford Premium Prize) Fellowships and named professorships: Alfredo H. Ang Family Professor, Excellence Faculty Scholar, and courtesy or honorary professorships at Tsinghua, IIT Guwahati, Tongji, Jianghan, and Loughborough universities. Research Leadership & Funding Gardoni has secured over $58 million in research funding from NSF, DHS, NIST, USAID, Qatar National Research Fund, and other agencies. He directs the MAE Center—formerly an NSF Engineering Research Center—focused on multi-hazard engineering approaches, and is Editor-in-Chief of Reliability Engineering & System Safety (Elsevier, IF 9.4). He founded and formerly led the journal Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure (Taylor & Francis) and serves on editorial boards of nine additional journals. Advising & Mentorship He has graduated 27 PhD and 35 Master’s students, many of whom now hold faculty positions worldwide. His group maintains an active pipeline of doctoral and post-doctoral researchers working on resilience analytics, infrastructure monitoring, and risk-informed decision-making. Laboratories & Collaborations He leads the MAE Center and is affiliated with the Critical Infrastructure Resilience Institute (CIRI) and the Biomedical and Translational Sciences group. International collaborations span the UK (Loughborough), India (IIT Guwahati), and China (Tsinghua, Tongji, Jianghan), fostering cross-disciplinary research in reliability and resilience engineering.
Paul Pu Liang is an Assistant Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab and Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS). He directs the Multisensory Intelligence research group, focusing on building AI systems that integrate diverse sensory inputs to enhance human-AI symbiosis. His work spans theoretical foundations, large-scale resources, and neural architectures for multisensory learning. Education: PhD in Machine Learning (Carnegie Mellon University), MS in Machine Learning (Carnegie Mellon), BS with University Honors in Computer Science and Neural Computation (Carnegie Mellon) Research Interests: Multimodal machine learning, human-AI interaction, clinical AI, generative models, and responsible deployment of AI systems Key Contributions: MultiBench, HEMM evaluation framework, CLIMB clinical data foundations, and multimodal transformer architectures Recent publications emphasize multimodal foundation models , clinical applications , and socially responsible AI . His work has been recognized with multiple best paper awards and fellowships from Siebel, Facebook, and other institutions. Scientific Awards Siebel Scholars Award Waibel Presidential Fellowship Facebook PhD Fellowship Center for ML and Health Fellowship Rising Stars in Data Science Four best paper awards Paul teaches courses on machine learning and multimodal AI at MIT and CMU. He mentors students across multiple programs including Media Arts & Sciences, EECS, and IDSS, with former advisees now at institutions like OpenAI, UC Berkeley, and Princeton.
Brad Campbell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Virginia, where he is a member of the Link Lab, a cross-disciplinary research group focused on cyber-physical systems. His research centers on designing and building scalable, effective, and unobtrusive embedded systems for the Internet of Things, with applications in smart buildings, smart cities, and personal health. His work spans hardware design, networking, and cloud infrastructure, with a strong emphasis on energy-harvesting systems, low-power wireless communication, and resilient embedded operating systems. He has led projects such as the Living Link Lab, a heavily instrumented smart building testbed, and has developed open-source platforms for self-powered sensing and IoT ecosystems. His recent publications reflect a strong trend toward privacy-preserving federated learning, contactless occupancy sensing using WiFi and light, decentralized edge computing, and sustainable IoT systems. These works are published in top venues including SenSys, BuildSys, MobiCom, and IPSN, indicating a high impact in the systems and networking community. NSF CAREER Award (2022) Best Paper Award at DFHS’19 Multiple graduate fellowships and teaching awards for his students UVA Engineering Endowed Graduate Fellowships Link Lab Seminar Award CPS Rising Star recognition Brad Campbell has advised numerous PhD and master’s students, many of whom have gone on to academic and industry roles. He has secured significant research funding, including from the NSF, and has contributed to curriculum development in cyber-physical systems. He is actively involved in teaching courses on computer networking, IoT, and operating systems, and has co-taught wireless IoT courses across multiple institutions. His lab focuses on real-world deployment of IoT systems, emphasizing scalability, fault tolerance, and long-term sustainability. He continues to push the boundaries of what embedded systems can achieve in everyday environments, from homes to cities.
Glaucio H. Paulino holds the Margareta Engman Augustine Professorship in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Princeton University, where he also serves as a Professor at the Princeton Institute for the Science and Technology of Materials (PRISM). His work bridges computational mechanics, topology optimization, and materials science. Paulino leads a research group focused on advancing structural design methodologies, fracture mechanics, and functionally graded materials. His team has pioneered polygonal finite elements and multiresolution topology optimization techniques, addressing challenges in mesh bias and computational efficiency. He has published over 240 peer-reviewed articles and mentored 19 PhD and 11 MS students. Notable contributions include the PPR cohesive model for fracture analysis and adaptive mesh refinement for dynamic simulations. Paulino's research extends to practical applications such as high-rise building design and sustainable construction materials. Awards include election to the European Academy of Sciences and Arts and ASME’s Melville Medal. Current projects involve functionally graded cement-based materials, extrusion processing, and digital image correlation for material characterization. His lab collaborates with industry partners like Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP to translate topology optimization into real-world engineering solutions. Paulino’s interdisciplinary approach integrates computational modeling with experimental validation, fostering innovations in civil infrastructure resilience.
Kenan Li, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Saint Louis University’s College for Public Health and Social Justice. He joined SLU in August 2022 and teaches courses such as Statistical Learning, R for Spatial Analysis, and Environmental Determinants of Health. His research bridges data science, GIS, and public health, focusing on spatial computation, environmental exposures, and community resilience. Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences, Louisiana State University M.S. in Environmental Sciences, Louisiana State University B.S. in Environmental Sciences and Applied Mathematics, Nankai University, China Dr. Li’s research interests lie at the intersection of spatial computation, environmental health, and community resilience . He develops geo-AI frameworks , integrated geo-cyber-infrastructures , and biostatistics algorithms using big data, deep learning, and sensor data. His work emphasizes understanding human-environment interactions, urban sustainability, and health disparities. His recent publications from 2023 to 2015 reveal a strong trend in spatial modeling of population dynamics , machine learning for environmental exposure analysis , and resilience assessment in vulnerable coastal regions. He has pioneered methods like Dynamic Time Warping Self-Organizing Maps and Wavelet-based Shapelet Discovery to extract meaningful patterns from high-frequency sensor data. His scientific awards include the Taylor Geospatial Institute Seed Grant (2023) , the Saint Louis University 2023 Health Research Grant , and selection for the Scholarly Undergraduate Research Grants and Experiences . He has secured funding from NSF, NIH, USC Keck School of Medicine, and the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dr. Li has advised and collaborated on numerous research projects, particularly in interdisciplinary teams studying the Mississippi River Delta and urban health interventions. He has been involved in NIH/NIBIB-funded projects and led research on emergency management of trail systems in Los Angeles County. He is actively involved in building research labs and teams focused on spatial data science and public health analytics , having previously worked at USC’s Spatial Sciences Institute and Population and Public Health Sciences Department.
Kostas Kalfas is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Texas at Tyler. He holds a PhD from Southern Methodist University (2023), an M.Sc. from the University of Surrey (2015), and a 5-year Diploma from the National Technical University of Athens (2012). His professional certifications include Engineer in Training (Texas), Chartered Engineer (Institution of Civil Engineers, UK), and Chartered Engineer (Technical Chamber of Greece). His teaching focuses on courses such as CENG 3306 – Mechanics of Materials , CENG 3434: Civil Engineering Materials, Codes and Specifications , and CENG 3325: Structural Analysis . Dr. Kalfas’s research interests center on structural dynamics, seismic isolation systems, and sustainable materials. He investigates topics like pressurized sand dampers, elastomeric bearing performance under combined loading, and the mechanical behavior of civil engineering materials. His work emphasizes practical applications in earthquake engineering and infrastructure resilience. His recent conference contributions include awards for studies on pressurized sand dampers and elastomeric bearings. He has presented at leading events such as the Engineering Mechanics Institute Conference (EMI 2023), the International Conference on Natural Hazards & Infrastructure (ICONHIC2022), and the IABSE Symposium (2018). Notable awards include the 1st Prize in the Dynamics Student Paper Competition (EMI 2022) and recognition for innovative humanitarian engineering projects in Uganda and sustainable material solutions.
Gian Andrea Rassati is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Cincinnati, affiliated with the College of Engineering, Architecture and Art (CEAS). He holds a PhD in Structural Engineering from the University of Trieste (2001) and is licensed as a professional engineer in Italy. His research focuses on steel and composite structures, seismic design, bolted connections, and dynamic behavior of structures. He is an active member of organizations such as the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Research Council on Structural Connections (RCSC). Dr. Rassati has led or collaborated in over a dozen research grants since 2005, including projects funded by the National Science Foundation, Federal Highway Administration, and industry partners like the American Institute of Steel Construction. His work addresses critical issues in structural engineering, such as bolted connection reliability, seismic characterization of structures, and innovative coupling beam systems for damage mitigation. His publications span topics like seismic performance of moment-resisting frames, prying models for T-stub connections, and composite slab behavior under seismic loading. He has advised numerous collaborative research efforts and contributed to advancements in structural design codes and standards.
James Dickens is a Professor at the Whitacre College of Engineering , Texas Tech University , where he also serves as the Charles Bates Thornton Professor and Co-Director of the Center for Pulsed Power and Power Electronics (P3E) . He holds a PhD (1995), MS (1993), and BS (1991) in Electrical Engineering from Texas Tech University, and is a registered Professional Engineer in Texas. Research Interests: Grounding & Shielding, Explosive Pulsed Power, High-Power Microwaves, Electric Space Propulsion, Aerospace Electronics Key Contributions: Development of semiconductor opening switches, investigation of gas insulation performance, optimization of nonlinear transmission lines, and analysis of multipactor phenomena in waveguides Awards: Fellow of the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (1996) His recent publications focus on solid-state switching technologies , high-voltage gas insulation , and multipactor suppression in microwave systems. His work bridges theoretical modeling (LTspice, ANSYS Maxwell) with experimental validation in extreme environments, including studies on explosive emission cathodes, nanocrystalline transformer cores, and vacuum insulator flashover physics.
Cameron Murray is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Arkansas. He specializes in concrete research with a focus on alternative cement technologies, particularly belitic calcium sulfoaluminate (BCSA) cement, and prestressed concrete structures. Dr. Murray directs a research group that investigates rapid-setting concrete materials for infrastructure repair and bridge engineering applications. His work bridges fundamental material science with practical engineering solutions for transportation infrastructure. Dr. Murray's educational background includes: Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Oklahoma (2017) M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Arkansas (2014) B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Arkansas (2012) Dr. Murray's research focuses on innovative concrete technologies with particular emphasis on alternative cementitious materials that offer environmental benefits and rapid-setting properties. His work explores the structural applications of belitic calcium sulfoaluminate (BCSA) cement for infrastructure repair, prestressed concrete systems, and bridge engineering. He investigates material properties, durability mechanisms, and structural performance to develop practical solutions for transportation infrastructure challenges. His research addresses critical issues such as early-age concrete behavior, corrosion resistance, and sustainable construction practices that reduce carbon emissions in the concrete industry. Analysis of Dr. Murray's recent publications reveals a strong focus on alternative cement technologies, particularly belitic calcium sulfoaluminate (BCSA) cement and its structural applications. His work spans material characterization, structural performance testing, and practical implementation in transportation infrastructure. Key research themes include rapid-setting concrete for infrastructure repair, prestressed concrete behavior, and sustainable concrete technologies with reduced carbon footprints. His publications demonstrate a progression from fundamental material studies to applied research addressing real-world infrastructure challenges, particularly in bridge engineering and rapid repair applications. Dr. Murray has received significant recognition for his teaching and research contributions: Department's outstanding teacher award (three times) College of Engineering Rising Teacher Award (2022-23) ACI Walter P Moore, Jr. Faculty Achievement Award (2022) Dr. Murray has successfully mentored numerous graduate students through their research projects, with a particular focus on concrete technology and structural engineering applications. His research group has secured substantial external funding totaling $6.2 million as PI or Co-PI, with additional $650,000 in equipment donations. Current funding sources include state DOTs, concrete industry groups, private industry, and federal agencies such as the US Army Corps of Engineers. His projects address critical infrastructure needs including rapid bridge deployment systems, alternative cement technologies, and concrete durability solutions. Dr. Murray directs the Concrete Research Laboratory at the University of Arkansas, located at the Grady Harvell Civil Engineering Research and Education Center (CEREC). The laboratory features a 20,000 sq. ft. high-bay testing area with a 100 ft. by 40 ft. strong floor, capable of handling large-scale structural testing. The facility includes specialized equipment for concrete material characterization, structural testing of reinforced and prestressed concrete members, and environmental monitoring systems. His research team collaborates with industry partners including Coreslab Structures and government agencies to address practical infrastructure challenges.
Julie Champion is the William R. McLain Endowed Term Professor in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of California Santa Barbara and completed NIH postdoctoral training at Caltech. As Faculty and Associate Chair for Graduate Studies, her work spans protein engineering , nanostructured biomaterials , and biocatalysis applications . Education: B.S.E. (University of Michigan), Ph.D. (UC Santa Barbara), NIH Postdoc (Caltech) Her research focuses on creating self-assembled protein nanomaterials for immunotherapy , cancer treatment , and industrial biocatalysis . Key projects include: Thermoresponsive protein nanosheets pH-sensitive vesicles for drug delivery Enzyme-immobilizing protein-inorganic hybrids Hexameric antibody delivery nanocarriers AvrA-based anti-inflammatory therapies Universal subunit vaccines via nanoparticle platforms Scientific recognition includes: Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (2021) ACS Women Chemists Rising Star Award (2021) Georgia Tech BioEngineering Outstanding Advisor Award (2014) NSF BRIGE Award NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship NSF Graduate Fellowship Her lab at the Engineered Biosystems Building hosts ongoing outreach initiatives like the TEC Camp for middle school girls and Project ENGAGES for high school research mentorship.
B. F. Spencer Jr. is the Nathan M. and Anne M. Newmark Endowed Chair in Civil Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he directs the Multi-Axial Full-Scale Sub-Structured Testing & Simulation Facility and the Smart Structures Technology Laboratory. He joined the university in 2002 after serving as Leo E. and Patti Ruth Linbeck Professor of Engineering at the University of Notre Dame (1985-2002). Education includes: Ph.D. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1985) M.S. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1983) B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Missouri-Rolla (1981) His research focuses on pioneering innovations in structural health monitoring, stochastic mechanics, and smart sensor technologies. Key areas include development of wireless sensor networks for real-time infrastructure assessment, seismic hazard mitigation strategies, and AI-driven damage detection systems. His work bridges theoretical computational mechanics with practical civil engineering applications to enhance resilience against natural disasters. Recent publications emphasize digital twins, UAV-based structural inspection, machine learning for damage identification, and advanced sensor networks. Trends show strong integration of AI, 3D visualization, and edge computing for rapid post-disaster evaluation and predictive maintenance of critical infrastructure. Major scientific honors: ASCE Housner Medal (2015) J.M. Ko Medal (2014) Foreign Member of Polish Academy of Sciences (2005) Structural Health Monitoring Person of the Year (2011) JSPS Fellowships (1999, 2000) He leads significant infrastructure projects including NSF-funded facilities and industry collaborations. Laboratory initiatives involve full-scale testing of bridges, gates, and seismic mitigation systems. Educational outreach includes K-12 STEM programs like 'Shakes and Quakes' to inspire future engineers.
Kevin Sweet is an Assistant Professor of Design and Interactive Arts: Immersive Experience at the University of Texas at Dallas, affiliated with the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology. His work bridges art, science, and technology to explore possibilities for social transformation through creative play. Sweet's practice spans digital media, performance, virtual reality, and community-based projects that address social justice issues and interdisciplinary collaboration. Education PhD in Emergent Technologies and Media Art Practices, University of Colorado Boulder (2022) MFA in Film/Video, Massachusetts College of Art and Design (2012) BA in Film Studies, Keene State College (2009) Research Focus Sweet's research centers on narrative refiguration through embodied creative play at intersections of art, science, and technology. His work explores how digital media can address systemic inequities, preserve cultural heritage, and create new communal storytelling forms. Recent projects focus on community media labs, ancestral land rights, and speculative methodologies challenging anthropocentric narratives. He investigates how virtual and augmented reality can be leveraged for social justice and community empowerment, as evidenced by his ongoing work with high school students in San Luis, Colorado. His practice demonstrates a commitment to using art and technology as tools for community engagement and historical preservation. Publication Trends Sweet's creative output shows a clear trajectory from traditional film and video toward increasingly complex interdisciplinary projects. His early work focused on material properties of analog media (like 'Intervals'), while recent projects integrate virtual reality, AI, and community-based practices. His publications reveal a pattern of ambitious cross-disciplinary collaborations, from partnerships with astrophysicists in 'Sound Planetarium' to community-based projects like 'La Sierra' addressing systemic inequities. There's a consistent evolution toward more socially engaged work addressing land rights, historical memory, and non-human agency. Professional Activities Faculty board member, UTD Student Media Operating Board President of the Board of Directors, Denver Digerati 501(c)(3) (2022-2024) Co-Principal Investigator, Sound Planetarium (astrophysics and art collaboration) Head of Creative Development, JoyceStick (VR adaptation of James Joyce's Ulysses) Former Director of Media, Guestbook Project (international peacebuilding organization) First Artist in Residence, Institute of Liberal Arts at Boston College Labs and Community Engagement Sweet has developed community media labs, partnering with History Colorado to build a local media lab in San Luis, Colorado. This initiative creates critical digital arts curriculum for high school students, empowering them to become authors of their community's history. His collaborative work involves interdisciplinary teams spanning artists, scientists, community organizers, and educators working on issues of land rights, historical memory, and cultural preservation.
Abbas Aminmansour is an Associate Professor at the School of Architecture, University of Illinois. His expertise spans structural steel engineering, tall building sustainability, and innovative educational technologies. He has contributed significantly to the design optimization of steel structures and the integration of multimedia tools in engineering education. His research emphasizes sustainable tall building practices, including environmental impact assessments and material efficiency. Key research areas include structural steel design, sustainability metrics for high-rise structures, and pedagogical innovations using IT. Notable works include studies on Integrated Design and Construction of Tall Buildings and Sustainability Impact of Tall Buildings . Recipient of the AISC Special Achievement Award (2015) for contributions to structural steel education. Active in media engagement, including a 2023 analysis on global tall building trends. Developed SteelDEM, an AI-driven multimedia tool for structural steel learning (1994). His work bridges technical innovation and real-world application, with a focus on advancing both construction practices and engineering education.
Tong Lin is a Research Assistant Professor at Syracuse University, affiliated with the Syracuse Center of Excellence in Energy and Environmental Systems – Analysis and Design Center. His expertise spans Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), turbomachinery design, and indoor air quality solutions. Lin’s research focuses on optimizing ventilation systems, air purification technologies, and mitigating airborne pathogen transmission risks through experimental and computational approaches. He holds a 2019 Research Excellence Doctoral Funding (REDF) Fellowship. His work integrates CFD simulations with real-world applications, such as fan-filter system performance and aerosol dynamics in indoor environments. Recent studies include analyzing aerosol plumes from singing and wind instruments, evaluating UV-based air disinfection systems, and optimizing turbomachinery performance under resistance mediums. Awards: 2019 REDF Fellowship Key Research Themes: Turbomachinery-Flow Interaction, Indoor Air Quality, Pathogen Transmission Mitigation Lab Affiliation: Syracuse Center of Excellence
